Save the Date - Feb. 23rd

Our 2nd Annual Ag Day

 

The topic of our 2nd Annual Ag Day is "Sustainability and the Commonwealth Quality Seal" This program will be held on Wednesday, February 23rd in Coolidge Hall at the Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield MA.  Northeast Harvest and New England Cooperative Extension will be co-hosting this event. The Commonwealth Quality Seal serves to identify locally-sourced products that are grown, harvested, and processed right here in Massachusetts using practices that are safe, sustainable and don't harm the environment.  Informational displays, including "Mass Grown and Fresher", will also be present.  Call today to reserve your space - (978) 887-5000 or email Joy.  Click here for registration information. On February 23rd, registration begins at 9am and the program will run until 3pm with lunch included.      

Harvest New England Agricultural Marketing Conference and Trade Show - March 1-3

 

Agricultural producers from across New England will meet in Sturbridge, MA on March 1-3 for Harvest New England Association's 3rd biennial marketing conference and trade show.  The theme is "The Expanding New England Farm Enterprise:  Reaping More from What We Sow".  This conference targets farmers interested in learning new marketing techniques and fine-tuning existing business strategies.  Conferences will include GAP training and speakers John Stanley,the Marketing Guru, and Ben Hewitt, the author of The Town that Food Saved.  The trade show of nearly 100 vendors on March 2nd & 3rd will provide information on the latest products and services for the agricultural community.  The event will be held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center.  For a complete schedule or to register, visit Harvest New England.  Register by February 14th and save money!  Also, Harvest New England is pleased to offer scholarships to qualified farmers to attend the conference.  The scholarship application deadline is January 19th. 

CSA's:

 

A CSA, or Community-Supported Agriculture, consists of individuals who pledge support to a farming operation where the growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production.  The consumer usually has a weekly delivery or pick-up occurring on a designated day and time of vegetables and fruit.  Other CSA's can consist of meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products.
There are advantages for both the farmer and the consumer.  The farmer starts early in the season - before their busy growing season starts - to market their product; they get to know the people who buy into the CSA's; and they receive payment upfront.  The consumer benefits by receiving local, fresh food; they receive fruits and vegetables that they may not normally purchase; they visit the farm (if it is a pick-up) to see where the food is grown; and they develop a relationship with the farmer.
The concept of CSA's began in the early 1960's in Germany, Switzerland, and Japan as a response to food safety concerns.  The idea came to the USA in 1984; they are especially popular in the Northeast, the Pacific coast, and the Upper-Midwest.
Please visit Northeast Harvest for a CSA near you - you may just want to sign up.  And remember, not all farms have shares available, so you may want to start to look early.              

Farmers' Market Workshop

The upcoming Farmers' Market workshop will be held Wednesday, February 22nd at the Burlington Public Library.  This is a great opportunity for conversation, questions, and discussion.  This workshop will provide an overview of MA food regulations and permitting requirements as related to farmers' markets.  You will also be updated on recent legislation that allows for the sale of wine by licensed farm wineries.  And, you can be part of the Q & A session - simply submit your question ahead of time.  There is NO FEE but space is limited.  Please RSVP (including your name, phone # and email) and send your questions at least one week prior to the workshop to Martha Sweet.

 

Mass Farmers Markets Annual Meeting & Potluck Social

The meeting is open to everyone involved in the Massachusetts farmers market system, - from farmers to market managers to shoppers and market fans!  The Business Meeting begins at 10am, followed by a potluck lunch, and then a discussion about farmers markets in the 21st century.  The event takes place at the First Congregational Church, 307 Boston Road, Sutton, MA.  Please RSVP or call (781) 893-8222'

 

Get Local Produce All Winter Long! 

Enterprise Farm is teaming up with our Codman Community Farms in Lincoln for a 2011 East Coast Farm Share pick-up starting in January.  In the winter, you will see a combination of local storage crops, (such as apples, onions, potatoes, or carrots), local hot-house grown produce (spinach and salad greens), and even produce from a network of small organic farms along the east coast.  This winter CSA is a 20-week share from January 5th to May 18th with 2 available sizes.

Many winter farmers' markets are OPEN!.... The Natick Winter Market is held on Saturdays from 9:30am-1pm at the Johnson Elementary School.  Over 20 quality food vendors will serve you.  We will be open until April 2nd.

The Carlisle Winter Farmers Market is open once a month.  In January, it will be on Saturday, the 22nd from 9am-12pm at Union Hall, 27 School Street in Carlisle.  If you have any questions, contact Leslie Thomas at (978) 287-0025